Mega Man 64

"A Very Underrated Game"

I think that this is one of the most underrated games in the history of Nintendo 64. Everywhere I look I see this game getting an extremely bad rap. Come on it's not that bad, in fact, it is actually very good once you've played it for a while. So here is my review:

GAMEPLAY: 9/10
The game starts at the normal difficulty setting because you don't have the option to change it yet. Later on in the game you can put it on easy or hard. The play control may seem weird at first, but after playing the game for a little while you'll get used to it. You can use either the analog stick or the directional pad to move Megaman. I recommend using the analog stick because the directional pad tends to be a little bit sticky. As for how hard the game is, it is somewhat challenging at first, but once you've been playing it for a while, it will become easier. The fun part of the game is blowing stuff up. Come on, how can it get more fun than that. Megaman has a nice arsenal of special weapons that he can use to demolish his enemies. There is also stuff to find like parts to make special weapons, upgrades for your Mega Buster, and special items that can be used to refill your health. It's kind of like an action/adventure game with some role playing elements.

Story: 9/10
The story is very simple. You are Megaman. You and your friend Roll travel around in a big ship looking for energy crystals called refractors. Refractors are worth a lot of money, so this is how you and Roll live day to day. Legends tell of a mysterious treasure called the Mother Lode, a refractor with enough power to supply the whole world with electricity for eternity. You start out in a tower in the middle of the sea. Once getting the refractor there and escaping, your ship will break down, forcing you to land on a nearby island called Kattleox. This is where your adventure begins. Note: The Megaman in this game is called Megaman Volnutt, he was discovered by Roll's grandpa, Barell when he was just a little kid; so I don't think that this is the same Megaman from the ''Megaman'' and ''Megaman X'' series on Super Nintendo and Playstation.

Audio/Video: 9/10
The graphics in this game are ok. They are not as good as Perfect Dark or Donkey Kong's, but they aren't totally disappointing either. The music is fitting and calm. The boss music and battle musics are very good, definitely living up to Capcom's standards. One of the best parts about this game is the cinematics. There are lots and lots of polygonal cut-scenes with voice. This is a rare thing to find on the Nintendo 64, so it adds to the value of the game.

Replayability: 10/10
Definitely the games strongest point. I've had it for 3 weeks and I've beat it about 20 times and played it for over 50 hours. There is so much stuff to do aside from the main plot of the game like upgrading all of your weapons, finding helpful items, blowing things up, and completing side quests. There are also some secrets that add to the replay value of the game.

To Rent or to Buy?
Definitely a buy. If you like what you read in my review, then by all means go out and buy it. If there is something that you didn't like, then maybe you should rent it first to see if it is the right game for you. I think that this is one of the best games ever, despite what some other people think.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/16/01, Updated 02/16/01